There are a FEW passages in God’s Word, which MIGHT be labeled ‘difficult (to understand)’ by those who do not STUDY God’s Word.
ALL three of the following have to do, not only with the followers of Jesus, but with the end times as well.
Let’s take a look at those verses and see if we may arrive at a suitable answer for the following THREE questions.
1- What is the ‘perseverance of the saints?’
Some ‘esteemed teachers’ from the churches claim that ‘perseverance of the saints’ means the same thing as ‘eternal security.’
OTHERS have said, “Not so fast.”
The teachers from the churches teach that once a person comes to God, and receives God’s Holy Spirit to dwell in that person, then he CANNOT lose his salvation and will ALWAYS be a member of the kingdom of heaven.
ONE BIG problem with equating “perseverance of the saints’ with ‘eternal security’ is that a NUMBER of verses which seemingly contradict the esteemed teachers are NOT reconciled to present a harmonious, non-contradictory whole.
They point to some Bible verses which appear to back up their contentions, especially Jesus’ words in John 10:27-29.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
These church folk ALSO use Romans 8:38-39 to support their arguments.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
FIRST, let’s look at an accepted meaning of PERSEVERANCE.
: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering: steadfastness
From looking at the very plain meaning of perseverance, it appears clear that the ‘perseverance of the saints’ is the EFFORT TO OVERCOME ANY DIFFICULTIES WHILE DOING ANY WORK GIVEN BY GOD.
And God’s Word has MUCH to say about OVERCOMING–specifically, those who OVERCOME the odds during the end times.
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
–Revelation 21:7
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
–Revelation 3:21
2-What is the ‘PATIENCE of the saints?’
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
–Revelation 14:12
This one appears to be a little easier to understand.
The PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS–without reading anything into it–seems to refer to the PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS.
This patience allows the saints to ‘get through’ the tough times of the tribulation period and the persecution of Satan and his workers of iniquity.
The ‘patience of the saints’ is ALSO referred to in the preceding chapter of Revelation in Revelation 13:10 and helps to confirm this simple answer.
“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
–Revelation 13:10
The follower of Jesus is to trust in God and allow the LORD to exact ALL and ANY vengeance for wrongs committed.
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
–Romans 12:19
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
–1THESSALONIANS 5:15
God’s people MUST exhibit PATIENCE when times get tough.
3- What is the ‘faith of the saints?’
Perhaps this is the EASIEST of the three questions to answer.
“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
–Revelation 14:12
Above all else, when the going gets tough during the end times, the follower of Jesus is to trust Jesus and His Father.
FAITH IN JESUS–though there be NO other evidence of this faith–is the defining quality of those who follow Jesus and His Father during the end times.
That faith means that the believer will TRUST and put his FAITH in Jesus–and His Father–to right all wrongs and to deal with the wicked in a just and timely manner during the end times.
That faith means that the believer will NOT ‘take the law into his own hands‘ and start swinging at those he would like to see put down.
It is during this difficult time that the follower of Jesus should recall the LORD’s own words as set down in Matthew 10:28
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
When justice and vengeance are sure, then the faith of the saints is not only easier to observe, it is an easier commandment of God to obey.
And these are our BEST answers to three questions which we have been asked more than once over the years.
HOW MANY of the three questions did the reader know the answer for?
It is not YET too late–although time is surely running out: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
—1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: May 10, 2023.]
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR file/pd
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-23. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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